Sites of Sir Francis Drake Legends

Drake's Ball

Location: Combe Sydenham (Somerset) - Sydenham HallType: LegendDate / Time: Still presentFurther Comments: Sir Frances Drake's future bride was now about to marry another man, when this cannon ball rolled down the aisle - Drake had fired it from hundreds of miles away to let his loved one know that she was not forgotten. The ball has resided here since, and it is said that if taken away, it always makes its own way back.

Large Black Hound

Location: Dartmoor (Devon) - General areaType: ShuckDate / Time: UnknownFurther Comments: Said to have inspired the famous 'Hound of the Baskervilles', several phantoms are held to blame for this creature (including Drake (for his dealings with the devil) and Richard Cabell (a man so evil that he now hunts children with his devil dogs!)).

Location: Exeter (Devon) - Martin's Lane, general areaType: Haunting ManifestationDate / Time: UnknownFurther Comments: A weeping woman waits along this lane at night - her daughter ran away to follow Sir Francis Drake on his last voyage, and never returned.

Sir Francis Drake

Location: Exeter (Devon) - Ship Inn, Martin's LaneType: Haunting ManifestationDate / Time: UnknownFurther Comments: The inn claims to have once banned Drake from coming in, as his behaviour once drunk was intolerable - maybe this is the reason he returns here...

Drakes

Location: Exton (Devon) - Nutwell CourtType: Haunting ManifestationDate / Time: UnknownFurther Comments: While the house is haunted by Sir Francis Drake, the road outside is also populated by the ghosts of a horse and rider. Eliot Drake broke his neck in a fall while racing, but now continues to ride.

Drake and his Witches

Location: Plymouth (Devon) - Devil's Point (west of docks)Type: Haunting ManifestationDate / Time: UnknownFurther Comments: Sir Francis Drake and the rest of his coven stood here and summoned a storm to destroy the Spanish Amanda - their chants can still be heard today.

Drake's Water

Location: Plymouth (Devon) - General areaType: LegendDate / Time: UnknownFurther Comments: When the town required a safe and plentiful water supply, Sir Francis Drake rode out to Dartmoor and recited a spell. Water sprung up and followed Drake as he returned to Plymouth.

Location: Yelverton (Devon) - Buckland AbbeyType: LegendDate / Time: Whenever England is in DangerFurther Comments: Sir Francis Drake's drum can be found in the Abbey - with Drake's soul contained within. The instrument is said to beat when England is in danger, although was said to have been heard beating when the German fleet surrendered on 21 November 1918, and was last heard in 1939. Another legend has the foundation stones of the abbey being moved each night by the Devil, though Drake outwitted him, ensuring the abbey's construction could continue unhindered.